Earlier this month, Faster Access to diagnostic imaging reports went live.
This means consumers can now view reports for X-rays of their limbs as soon as they are uploaded to My Health Record. Other diagnostic imaging reports are available after a 5-day delay (previously 7 days), regardless of the result.
Where a diagnostic imaging report contains multiple results with different access timeframes, the 5-day access period will apply to the entire report. Healthcare providers will continue to have access to all results as soon as they are uploaded.
These changes build on earlier faster access updates for pathology results and provide Australians with more timely access to their health information through My Health Record and the 1800MEDICARE app.
New Scope Guidance Released
From 1 July 2026, most pathology and diagnostic imaging reports must be uploaded to My Health Record by default.
The Agency has released a new resource to support healthcare provider organisations identify whether the upload requirements apply to the pathology and diagnostic imaging services they provide.
Input from a group of sector representatives, during the development of this resource, has helped to support clarity and useability for healthcare providers:
- View the interactive PDF that guides providers through a series of questions to help clarify whether reports prepared by the organisation are in scope.
This resource is designed to support understanding of the Health Insurance (Share by Default) Rules 2025 and the My Health Record (Share by Default) Rules, collectively referred to as the Share by Default rules.
Additional Guidance Materials
Existing guidance materials regarding better and faster access to pathology and diagnostic imaging are available on the Agency’s website and continue to be updated as these reforms progress.
For Healthcare providers:
- Share by Default overview
- Guide for requesting providers
- Guide for providers that undertake pathology and diagnostic imaging services
- Are the services provided in scope? – an interactive tool
- Resources for your patients: Consumer fact sheet
For Consumers:
- Understanding better and faster access to health information
- Your questions answered: Fact sheet for healthcare consumers
- 1800MEDICARE app for convenient access to your health information, wherever you are.
For more information, visit digitalhealth.gov.au or email help@digitalhealth.gov.au.
Should you require any additional resources, tailored messaging or have any questions, please contact your Partnerships team at communityengagement@digitalhealth.gov.au.
Using My Health Record in Diagnostic Imaging
One way the Agency is working to equip diagnostic imaging providers with the appropriate support, tools and training to engage effectively with digitally enabled healthcare initiatives, is through the development of targeted eLearning resources. Our updated eLearning course ‘Using My Health Record in Diagnostic Imaging‘ is free and now available via our Online Learning Portal.
The course highlights how using My Health Record can benefit those working in the diagnostic imaging sector by providing access to key health information anytime, anywhere – to improve clinical decisions and patient outcomes. The course has been revised to incorporate the latest enhancements introduced with the Better and Faster Access changes to diagnostic imaging results in My Health Record, released on the 5th of March 2026.
For further details about these updates, please visit the Agency Website.
WentWest Event: Digital Health Series- Part One
Digital health is evolving fast — and staying informed is essential for safe, compliant care.
This timely webinar unpacks key digital health tools, including Better Access and SafeScript, and provides clear, practical guidance on upcoming legislative reforms that introduce new requirements for how health information is shared across the system.